Willie James Buchanon (born November 4, 1950) is an American former football player who was a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was defensive rookie of the year in 1972 and a two-time Pro Bowl player.[1] He finished his career with his hometown San Diego Chargers, retiring with 28 career interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.

Willie Buchanon

Buchanon at MCB Camp Pendleton in 2011
No. 28
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(1950-11-04) November 4, 1950 (age 71) Oceanside, California
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:	Oceanside (Oceanside, California)
College:	San Diego State
NFL Draft:	1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
Career history
Green Bay Packers (1972–1978) San Diego Chargers (1979–1982)
Career highlights and awards
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1972) First-team All-Pro (1978) 2× Pro Bowl (1974, 1978) San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame San Diego State Aztecs No. 28 retired NFL record Most passes intercepted in a single game: 4 (tied)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 28 INT yards: 278 Touchdowns: 2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years through college

Buchanon was born and raised in Oceanside, California, where he was a graduate of Oceanside High School. He attended Mira Costa College,[2] where he was a Junior College All-American in 1969. Buchanon later played football and graduated from San Diego State University. He was voted the Most Valuable Player in the East-West Shrine Game of 1971. Sporting News named the San Diego State All-American to its All-Time collegiate team.

NFL career

Willie Buchanon was selected by Green Bay in the first-round of the 1972 NFL draft, the 7th overall pick.[2] He was the 1972 NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and a one-time All-Pro. In 1978, the Packers defensive back led the NFC with 9 interceptions,[1] including four on September 24, 1978 against the San Diego Chargers[3] that tied him for the still-standing NFL record for most interceptions in a game, first set by Sammy Baugh in 1943. Buchanon spent his last four pro years with the San Diego Chargers,[2] where he tied the NFL all-time record for most recoveries in a game in 1981.

Awards and life after football

Buchanon was named to the Green Bay Packers All-Time team, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame,[4] San Diego State Hall of Fame, San Diego Hall of Champions,[3] California State Junior College Hall of Fame and Oceanside High School Hall of Fame. He is now a realtor in San Diego.

Personal life

Buchanon and his wife, Gwen, have two children: a daughter, Jenae, and a son, Will.[5] His son was a member of the 2003 and 2004 national championship teams with the University of Southern California Trojans, and later played in the NFL. Willie Buchanon lives in his hometown of Oceanside.[4]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Willie Buchanon.

• Buchanon Realty official site